As the head coach of a sport that is played without a clock, Hawaii baseball’s Mike Trapasso is keeping up with the times.

While he still requires his players to show up early for classes and sit in the first three rows, Trapasso has shown a playful side, allowing the display of a toy toilet in the dugout for hitters to flush away bad at-bats and the awarding of a “home run chain” to celebrate four-baggers.

As the Rainbow Warriors prepare for Monday’s first spring-semester practice in advance of next month’s season opener, Trapasso is unabashedly enthusiastic about his 18th season as head coach. He also has adapted to working with Generation Z.

“Kids change,” Trapasso said. “Generations change. The kids we work with today are different than they were 10 years ago, 15 years ago and, when I started coaching, 30 years ago. Not better, not worse. Just different. Kids today are great kids. They’re different. Different isn’t bad. Different is different. But kids are different, and you have to approach them differently. But at the end of the day, kids who are high achievers and want success, they want structure. They want discipline. They want energy. Kids today want communication.”

Trapasso also has changed his approach in the roster’s composition. When the ’Bows joined the Big West in 2013, it became apparent they needed bigger and more physical players.

“We may have overdid it,” Trapasso said. “We were more successful offensively on the road the last two years, which is not uncommon because (Les Murakami Stadium) is not a hitter’s park. But the disparity was too big. We weren’t able to do some things athletically because we just weren’t athletic. We were bigger (and) stronger more than we’d like to be at home. We needed the balance offensively.”

In 20 road games, the ’Bows hit .286 with 16 home runs and one steal in eight attempts. In 31 home games, they hit .255 with 10 homers and nine steals in 14 tries. Opponents amassed 48 steals in 68 attempts.

“Obviously, team speed was a hindrance, was a liability, basically something that hurt us last year,” Trapasso said. “It didn’t allow us to do a lot offensively. We’re working on being more balanced.”

The ’Bows will be without second baseman Dustin Demeter, who will miss the season because of an injury. But they have added some speed, especially at the top of the projected order, and will enter with a potentially deep pitching staff.

PITCHERS

The staff could start or end with Dylan Thomas, who had a league-high 14 saves with a 1.85 ERA and 0.79 WHIP. He did not issue a walk until his 20th appearance. The plan was to convert Thomas into a starter this year, a move that would strengthen his arm, help develop a second out pitch behind his darting slider, and gain exposure. But two things might put the move on ice. “For Dylan to be a starter, we need somebody to fill that (closer’s) role that would be vacated,” Trapasso said. “In the past two years (with Thomas), if you have a lead after seven innings, the game, for the most part, would be over.” Also, Thomas gained exposure when he excelled in the Cape Cod League this summer, earning the award as the top reliever and impressing major league personnel directors and general managers. “We’re going to do what’s best for the team, but always what’s best for Dylan,” Trapasso said. “We’ll have him geared up to where he’s throwing 80 pitches or so (in scrimmages, workouts) going into the season.”

The 80-pitch sessions are the training-camp goal for potential starters. Trapasso said at least eight pitchers besides Thomas are being groomed as potential starters. Left-hander Dominic DeMiero, who did not finish the past two seasons because of shoulder tendinitis, appears to be healthy. Last season’s arm fatigue was perplexing because DeMiero threw 100-plus pitches only once and was never used on short rest. It is hoped DeMiero will continue to benefit from a lower pitching motion designed to ease pressure on his left shoulder while adding more sink to his pitches.

In his first four starts last year, Cade Smith’s ERA was 2.55. After pitching in a summer league, Smith was rested in the second half of fall training to allow him to refresh for his sophomore season. “For us to be successful, we need him to have a good year for us,” Trapasso said. “Cade has the capability of being drafted in the first couple rounds.”

Kash Koltermann will have an expanded role after proving to be more effective in long relief or as a starter. Of the newcomers, Aaron Davenport, Blaze Pontes and Calvin Turchin pitched well in fall training. Turchin, who was set to become Bellevue College’s ace, committed to UH a few days before the start of the 2018 fall semester. Turchin has four pitches — fastball, slider, curve and change-up — with “tremendous life,” according to Trapasso. “Guys don’t square him up well. He gets a lot of ground balls when he pitches.”

Jeremy Wu-Yelland is the ’Bows’ hardest-throwing lefty, but he still is working on consistently throwing strikes.

CATCHERS

The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Kekai Rios, and Chayce Ka‘aua and David Noworyta graduated. Tyler Murray, who started 17 games last year, and freshman Dallas Duarte are set to split the catching duties. When Murray starts, Duarte also could find his way into the lineup as a second baseman, third baseman or outfielder. “He can play anywhere on the field, and play it at a high level defensively,” Trapasso said.

INFIELDERS

The left side is set with third baseman Ethan Lopez and shortstop Maaki Yamazaki. Both seniors had breakout seasons in 2018. Despite missing 14 games because of an injury, Lopez hit .270 with 11 doubles and six homers. Yamazaki was a self-recruited player counted on for his defensive skills. He proved to be an offensive surprise, hitting a team-high .325. Yamazaki, who was moved to the top of the order at midseason, had an on-base percentage of .468 when leading off an inning. He reached base or made contact on 94.1 percent of his plate appearances.

The ’Bows are exploring options to replace second baseman Dustin Demeter, who will miss the season while recovering from an injury. Two years ago, Jack Kennelly, a transfer from Bellevue College, was a Gold Glove recipient as junior college’s best defensive second baseman. Kennelly also can play on the left side. Freshman Travis Best is a high-ceiling infielder with a quick first step. Duarte also is a consideration at second.

Alex Baeza will get the first shot at first base. Last year, seven of Baeza’s 14 hits were doubles. “Defensively, he’s tremendous,” Trapasso said. “He’s right up there with Eric Ramirez in the type of defender he is.”

Logan Pouelsen, who also will be used as a pitcher and designated hitter, will take turns at first base. After losing some weight, Pouelsen has the range to now play third base, too.

Brennan Hancock can play first or the outfield.

OUTFIELDERS

Left fielder Johnny Weeks and center fielder Dylan Vchulek have graduated, creating a restructuring of the outfield. Adam Fogel will move from right field to center. Fogel had a slugging percentage of .526, leading the ’Bows in homers (8), doubles (17) and triples (2).

Freshman Scotty Scott is a top candidate to play left field. “He’s a lead-off type hitter,” Trapasso said. “He’s a left-handed hitter with a good eye who can bunt and play the short game. He plays a good outfield. He has a strong and accurate arm.”

Jacob Sniffin played well in fall training, and appears to have the first shot at playing right field. Daylen Calicadan, who was moved from the infield last year, and Hancock are in the five-outfielder mix.